The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that Australian retail turnover rose 0.1 per cent in May 2013, seasonally adjusted, following a revised fall of 0.1 per cent in April 2013.

The largest contributor to the rise in May 2013 was other retailing(0.8 per cent) followed by food retailing (0.2 per cent), department stores (0.8 per cent) and clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.4 per cent). These rises were largely offset by falls in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (-0.6 per cent) and household goods retailing (-0.3 per cent). Over the longer term, food retailing remains the largest contributor to growth (up 0.3 per cent in trend terms).

The state which was the largest contributor to the rise was Western Australia (1.6 per cent) followed by Queensland (0.5 per cent), South Australia (0.6 per cent), Tasmania (0.6 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.8 per cent). These rises were largely offset by falls in New South Wales (-0.4 per cent), Victoria (-0.3 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-1.7 per cent). Over the longer term, New South Wales remains the strongest contributor to growth (up 0.4 per cent in trend terms).

Through the year, Australian retail turnover rose 2.3 per cent in May 2013, seasonally adjusted, compared to May 2012.

The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.2 per cent in May 2013. This follows a rise of 0.2 per cent in April 2013. Through the year, the trend estimate rose 2.6 per cent in May 2013 compared to May 2012.

More detailed industry analysis and further information on the statistical methodology is available inRetail Trade, Australia (cat no. 8501.0).

Media note:

Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.

For a detailed definition of each industry group and subgroup in terms of its ANZSIC 2006 classes, please refer to paragraph 6 of the Explanatory Notes.